Reviews by bk maarten

@bkmaarten Review| Freddie Gibbs – Cold Day In Hell [MIXTAPE]

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This is a short brief review I did for Freddie Gibbs project Cold Day In Hell. I don’t break down every track, but rather give my overall opinion about the project.

It’s a cold day in hell just the way Freddie Gibbs likes it. The newest signee to Young Jeezy’s CTE imprint has really been making his presence felt since hooking up with the Snowman. The backing from Young Jeezy has exposed Freddie Gibbs to an entirely new audience where he can showcase his signature flow and gritty street lyrics. If anyone thinks gangsta rap is dead don’t tell that Gangsta Gibbs as he expresses the harsh realities of the streets every time he touches the mic.

Cold Day in Hell is the second project Gibbs has released since signing with Young Jeezy. The previous was a collaborative project with producer Statik Selektah entitled Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away. A 7 track EP that the two created live on ustream in one day. On Cold Day in Hell you can expect Gibbs to deliver raw lyricism as he paints a picture for his reality. By  drawing on personal experiences and the streets of his hometown of Gary, Indiana.

Soon as the J.US.T.I.C.E. League intro track, “Barely M.A.D.E. It” featuring the vocals of B.J. The Chicago Kid plays you get the feeling Freddie Gibbs is going to bring you into his world his reality, “As I cruise up 94 did a robbery the night before he thought I was dead purchased 10 robbed him for 90 more. Now I’m 100 solid…” He also doesn’t hold back any punches by letting the warning shots fly in the direction of the Maybach on the track “187 Proof.” He makes his true feelings known about certain artists in the game he doesn’t sugarcoat it or back down, “6 n**** put 600 holes in your 600 Benz.” Throughout the tape he shows that he can be versatile touching on various subject matters not just the hard hitting grimy street records. “My Homeboy’s Girlfriend” is one of those records where Gibbs story telling ability really shines through. Production wise he has a solid line up which includes Cardo, J.US.T.I.C.E. League, The Olympicks, Big K.R.I.T., DJ Burn One and more. The production from these producers helps set the mood for the tape. He is also is joined by a few guests that include Young Jeezy, Freeway, Dom Kennedy, Alley Boy, 2 Chainz, Scrilla and others. Personally I could have done without the 2 Chainz feature but the guest appearances were solid overall.

Although I enjoyed every record from the tape there are few standouts “Barely M.A.D.E. It” “187 Proof,” “Twos and Fews,” “Let ‘Em Burn,” “B.A.N.ned,” and “My Homeboy’s Girlfriend.”

I would have to say Freddie Gibbs delivered another quality project which will definitely get a lot of rotation in my ipod and car. What I’m really looking forward to is seeing the next step Gibbs will take in his career since signing with Young Jeezy’s CTE imprint.

Score: 4/5

Review| Curren$y – Verde Terrace [MIXTAPE]

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Curren$y is one of the hardest working emcees consistently releasing quality material for us to rock to. With an almost unmatched grind it seems he’s always constantly dropping a new project. It was only a few years ago that he was hitting us month after month with mixtapes. Now its 2011 Curren$y has 5 albums under his belt and even more mixtapes.

His latest mixtape effort, Verde Terrace comes on the heels of his album Weekend at Bearnie’s being released. DJ Drama hosts the tape, but the dj drops are at a minimum only being heard at the right exact moments. It’s a laid-back 14 track project filled with more than just weed talk. He shows of his world play ability spitting about everyday situations most of us can relate to over some very recognizable beats. He rips into Jay-Z’s “Stick to The Script” and Rick Ross’s “Pandemonium” and a few others. Dom Kennedy, Willie The Kid and his fellow Jet Life members Young Roddy and Trademark Da SkyDiver make guest appearances. Young Roddy holds his own going in over “Ten Crack Commandments.” Curren$y definitely has delivered another dope mixtape that I can personally vouch for it. A few of my favorite records are “The Jet Business“, “Pinifarina”, “Car Talk”, and “Ways To Kill em” among others.

Next up for the Curren$y aka The Hot Spitta aka Spitta Andretti is his Puff Daddy mixtape and Pilot Talk III album which are coming soon.

Score: 4/5

Review| Willie The Kid – #TheCrates [MIXTAPE]

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The other day Willie The Kid released his latest mixtape, #TheCrates, a project that features original rhymes over original samples from the Michigan native. Since the release it’s been in constant rotation in both my ipod and whip. I’m not going to give an entire track-by-track break down of the tape, but rather my brief overall opinion.

For one I know I’m really digging a project when I can listen to it all the way through without skipping a track. As many of you probably know nothing is more annoying than skipping half the tracks on a project. Personally it ruins the entire mood for me, but that is not the case with #TheCrates.

Willie The Kid, who has been putting in work for years behind the mic, delivers an outstanding lyrical display through out the tape. He put the project together as a tribute to the original samples that created the greatest urban music of all time. The samples along with his flow and subject matter are a perfect match. However, he doesn’t do it alone, guest appearances include his brother La The Darkman, Audra The Rapper, Guilty Simpson, Termanology and a few others. All these emcees came correct in their own way assisting Willie.

As for stand out records I would have to say my favorites at the moment are “#!Chump,” “Blades Of A Certain Edge,” ”Minnie Riperton Dart,” and “No Reissue.” Another track, “Sunrise, Sunset” which is not really a song, but rather the excerpts of interviews from emcees that have passed away (i.e. Tupac, Big Pun, B.I.G., ODB. Pimp C, Big L, Stack Bundles and more).

Willie The Kid has put out a number of projects over the years, and I’ve seen the growth in his work. His latest project is one of his best to date and I can only expect his future projects to be even better.

Score: 4/5

#!Chump

REVIEW| Glocky Davis – Split Stuff Smoke Repeat [MIXTAPE]

Miami’s own up and coming Glocky Davis recently released his tape Split Stuff Smoke Repeat, with 21 tracks showing off his lyrical ability and flow. Running through various original and industry beats this tape is more than just weed talk. Starting things off with a celebratory type Intro Glocky delivers a number of standout records like “Pain,” “Hold On,” “Give It up,” “Million Dollar Dreams,” “My World” and by far my favorite record “Can You See Me.” He has also added visuals to “You Know I Stay High” and is preparing to release visuals to “Can You See Me.” Glocky Davis is definitely someone to look out for this year and his tape deserves at least a listen.

Score: 3.5/5